AAU Recap: Team Loaded VA 16U

<p>One of the best programs in the state of Virginia in all age groups, the Loaded 16&#39;s were no exception the way they played over the summer. In their 10 tournaments that they participated in, Loaded made it to the semifinals in nine of them. Led by Aamir Simms, one of the top players in the 2017 class in Virginia, and a host of other talented players, Loaded VA competed against national competition on the Adidas Circuit and in all of their other events. Here&#39;s a recap of how their summer went.</p> <p> </p> <p>All quotes courtesy of Head Coach Jerry McFarland.</p> <div> <div><strong>Top Tournament Finishes:</strong> Big Shots Loaded champions; Zero Gravity “The Show” champions; Adidas Gaunlet Dallas runner up; Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest runner up; Zero Gravity Richmond runner up; Big Shots Myrtle Beach runner up; Adidas Final Atlanta final four; Adidas Super 64 Las Vegas final four; David Rose Classic final four</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Notable Wins:</strong> Indiana Elite, D.C. Thunder, Garner Road, Ohio Basketball Club, Compton Magic, Team Wall, Florida Elite, Stackhouse Elite, Game Elite</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>MVP: </strong>Aamir Simms. “Aamir really improved each tournament throughout the summer. He never read his press or go into who has offered him and who hasn’t, he just continued to work hard and allow the results to speak for him.”</div> </div> <div><strong>Defensive MVP:</strong> Cam Bacote. “Cam made himself the teams best defender. He is known as a shooter and really sacrificed scoring to help the team win and accept the responsibility of guarding the other team’s best player. His improvement is a big reason we made it to so many championships and final fours.”</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Biggest Surprise:</strong> David Caracher. “David surprised me with his ability to be that big wing guard we needed. I saw him as a face up four trying to learn to be a wing and he proved to me that he is a wing but willing to play where the team needs him. He will be a very good college player because of his versatility.”</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Most Underrated Player:</strong> Antwan Walker. “Antwan got hurt so he missed the early part of July when a lot of college coaches started focusing on 2017 kids. He came back for our final tournament in Vegas and a lot of coaches started taking notice. He will be the steal of the 2017 class.</div> <h2>Coach's Take</h2><p><span style="font-family:-apple-system-font; font-size:12px">I would say 10 tournaments with nine final fours and playing in six championships makes this summer a good season, but we left too many championships on the table. You add Dallas, Southern, and Vegas then I would say we had a great year considering almost all of our 2017 kid have offers. Since we didn’t win those, I can only say we had a good season. Call me selfish if you want."</span></p> <h2>Top Prospects With Offers</h2><div><strong>Aamir Simms:</strong> Clemson, Xavier, Kansas State, Providence, Penn State, Cincinnati, VCU, UCF, Virginia Tech, ODU, Richmond, Hofstra</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Cam Bacote: </strong>ODU, Howard, Mount St. Mary’s, Hampton, IUPUI</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Mastadi Pitt:</strong> Cincinnati, UCF, Longwood, Howard</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Greg Jones:</strong> Richmond, Longwood</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Antwon Walker:</strong> UNC Greensboro, Duquesne</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Damian Knowlin:</strong> Committed to Hampton</div>